Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers

Millions of people every year climb aboard cruise ships expecting a fun, relaxing time. These hot getaways are often family friendly, offering excitement for parents and kids alike. Other passengers choose cruise ships because they are relatively inexpensive, include onboard entertainment, and often stop at beautiful, exotic ports. Unfortunately, for far too many people each year, a serious cruise ship injury completely spoils the experience. Passengers and workers alike are vulnerable to a wide variety of dangers while they are out at sea or docked at a port. If the cruise line fails to ensure the safety of those aboard, people can be seriously injured.

Suffering an injury aboard a cruise ship can be a traumatic incident that leads to long-lasting problems. You could be facing unaffordable medical bills, lost work wages, financial stress, physical pain, and even major lifestyle changes. At Louis A. Vucci, P.A., we believe that you should not have to be financially responsible for an injury caused by someone else’s negligence. We have years of experience successfully handling cruise ship injury cases, and that means we possess a thorough understanding of the legal obligations of cruise lines, onboard managers, and other officials. If you have been injured on a cruise ship, you may be legally entitled to substantial monetary compensation.

Types of Cruise Ship Injury Cases

Cruise ships are home to unique vacation experiences, but sometimes the very features that make them appealing also hold potential danger. Being surrounded by beautiful ocean views can be relaxing and exciting, but the isolation of cruise ships means that emergency medical care might be far away. Additionally, cruise ships are responsible for the frequent maintenance and cleaning that will help make a large vessel safe for everyone on board. Cruise lines have to be particularly alert when it comes to preventing slip and fall accidents, drowning, and illness. Passengers can also be victimized by theft and sexual assault while out at sea or near a dangerous port.
At Louis A. Vucci, P.A., we understand the particular threats faced by those aboard a cruise ship. We handle a wide variety of cruise ship injuries including:

Passenger claims: we can help if you were injured on board the cruise ship. These injuries often occur in slip and fall accidents; wave pool, water slide, or swimming pool accidents; due to eating contaminated food; falling overboard; because of fire; during a physical assault; or because of a norovirus outbreak.

Passenger claims during shore excursions: for those hurt while on a cruise, but not aboard the ship. Going ashore, often in a different country, can expose a tourist or visitor to many kinds of threats.

Medical crew negligence: if you are injured or fall ill aboard a cruise ship, you need high-quality medical care. When the ship’s medical crew fails to properly diagnose or treat you, your condition can worsen.

Sexual assault: cruise lines are responsible for ensuring the general safety of those on board. If you were the victim of sexual assault, you might be entitled to financial compensation.

Cruise lines have a serious obligation to make sure their ship conditions are safe and that any shore activities they oversee do not put people at risk. Whether your injury occurred on or off the cruise vessel, you can still seek damages from the party responsible.

Popular Cruise Lines

Below, we’ve compiled some information on popular cruise lines to help you understand that even the biggest cruise companies have a history of issues, including sexual assaults and death.

Carnival is one of the most famous cruise lines in the world, but that does not equate to having a stellar record of safety. In 2016, the CDC found severe mismanagement of one ship’s drinking water supply and other unsanitary conditions.

Disney is on of the most recognizable brands on the planet, and stakes its reputation on being friendly to children. Nevertheless, there have been cases of serious safety violations onboard Disney cruise ships.

In the past decades, Norwegian cruises have seen more than 30 outbreaks of norovirus. The line also does not employ lifeguards on its ships, leading to preventable drowning injuries and deaths.

Cruise Ship Injury Statistics

More and more U.S. citizens are opting to spend their vacations aboard cruise ships. The United States Coast Guard reports that there are around 200 overnight, ocean-going cruise ships across the world. The average cruise ship carries about 2,000 passengers and includes a crew of 950 people. The Coast Guard speculates that more than 23,000,000 people will be cruise ship passengers in 2017. Unfortunately, this incredibly popular vacation option comes with its fair share of risks and dangers.

Injuries on cruise ships can be extremely dangerous, especially when they occur out at sea or in a port far away from quality medical care. Precisely because proper treatment might not be readily available, cruise lines have a serious responsibility to try to prevent injuries and crimes while employing a fully equipped and trained medical staff. Unfortunately, many people each year suffer harm while on a cruise ship vacation.

According to one study from International Maritime Health, 663 injuries occurred on a single cruise ship over the course of three years. Most of the victims suffered their injuries while aboard the ship, primarily in their cabins. Falls caused a staggering 44.8% of the injuries. Passengers can also suffer from severe illness due to improper sanitation and poor food quality. Who can forget the terrible tragedy when the Carnival cruise ship Triumph was adrift for days after a preventable fire? In fact, many cruise ship accidents and incidents could be avoided by common sense safety measures and reasonable precautions. Victims hurt because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness while on a cruise ship deserve compensation for their suffering and the costs of their injury.

Cruise Ship Injuries and the Law

The law specifies that businesses and individuals alike have a serious obligation not to cause harm to others. This concept doesn’t just apply to direct, malicious violence; it also means that we cannot behave negligently when that carelessness can seriously injure someone. For example, when a cruise line fails to maintain their diesel generators, this negligence can lead to serious injury. A faulty generator could start a fire that hurts a member of the crew or a passenger. Precisely because this accident was preventable and foreseeable, the injured party would be due financial compensation from the cruise line.

Even in cases where it seems like your injury was completely accidental, the cruise line may be held legally liable. Many people who experience food poisoning on cruise ships assume that no one is technically responsible, but a skilled attorney can investigate your claim to see whether the cruise line kitchens were following proper food safety codes and procedures.

Cruise Ship Injury FAQs

The attorneys at Louis A. Vucci, P.A. pride themselves on their excellent communication with clients. It’s for this reason that we’re adding a few of the most commonly received questions in regards to injuries on a cruise ship. It can be easy to feel alone in the midst of a legal case, but it’s important to know that there are many people who have gone through this, and we’re here to fight for you.

How much is my case worth?

Generally, the damages you can receive are related to the severity of your injury and the recklessness of the party responsible. We have secured financial compensation of millions of dollars for clients in the past. The law realizes that injuries can be extremely costly. That’s why you can recover money for: past and future hospital bills, physical therapy, medication, specialized medical treatment, counseling, lost work wages, required lifestyle changes, physical pain, emotional stress, and a variety of other injury-related costs.

Why should I seek compensation?

Tragically, far too many people every year assume that the costs of their injury will be too small to warrant a legal case. Even a minor injury can wind up putting you in financial distress with follow-up medical checks and working days lost to recovery. The unfortunate truth is that you only have a short while after the injury occurs to seek legal reparations—generally one year. You may discover too late that you cannot handle the costs of your injury. If you have been injured on a cruise ship, you should consult with a legal professional as soon as possible. A skilled cruise ship injury attorney can discuss the specifics of your case and answer any questions you might have about the legal process. Often, seeking compensation is easier than people assume.

Why should I choose Louis A. Vucci, P.A.?

Our dependable legal team specializes in cruise ship injuries. While many other law firms claim they can handle the nuances and difficulties posed by cruise ship injury cases, we have the record of success to back up that claim. For example, we won $1,900,000 for a crew member who suffered from an internal hemorrhage. We secured over $100,000 for a passenger with a broken ankle. Another passenger who tragically suffered a traumatic brain injury received over $400,000 in damages. These are just a few examples from our long list of legal victories.

We understand that our clients have already been through a traumatic experience. That’s why we strive to earn our clients’ trust by communicating openly and honestly throughout the legal process. Additionally, you will not owe us anything unless we win your case, and we make our first consultation completely free.

Contact A Cruise Ship Injury Attorney

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury during a cruise, you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Not only can getting hurt ruin your vacation, but the costs of an injury can put you in serious financial distress. You may be facing high medical bills, time lost working, physical suffering, emotional stress, and even serious lifestyle changes. According to the law, if someone else’s negligence caused or contributed to your injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

At Louis A. Vucci, P.A., we know that you should not have to bear the financial burden of an injury someone else caused. We have extensive experience handling cruise ship injury cases, and our long history of legal victories proves that we have the skills to deal with your case. Call us today at (786) 375-0344 to discuss your cruise ship injury with a knowledgeable legal professional. We are ready to protect your rights and get you the financial compensation you deserve.